Video - How good was Tokyo Douglas?

Good enough to be a real problem for any heavyweight that ever lived.

 

Great video. Agree with pretty much everything you say. Imagine what Douglas could've accomplished in his career with a different attitude.

 

Excellent Video, very informative and interesting.

I agreed with what you said, as in not to count him out against any ATGs. After a long think, I've come to the conclusion that I'd favour him over almost any HW, who was slightly on the downside.
For example, I'd favour Buster against Louis from the Conn fight, Holyfield from the Moorer fight, Foreman of the Lyle fight or Frazier from the 2nd Ali fight. However it should be noted that I would personally favour all of the fighters mentioned to stop Douglas at there best.

He is something that I hate to see in boxing, wasted potential. With a different outlook and attitude he could've been something really special.

 

Great post.

Against less than 100% versions of these greats Buster is a shot but I'd back peak versions of all against him (excepting Joe Louis who went in deliberately light with Conn and otherwise I'd back him to beat Buster at that point of his career).

That's why great fighters are so special. You can have the physical tools but not the mental ones and vice versa but the greats at least possess a decent amount of both which is why sadly Buster is a bit of a one hit wonder and also ran compared to the guys you mentioned.

 

Good video. Don't agree that Tyson showed weaknesses against Bruno and Williams, though. The Williams performance was flawless and the Bruno one was very underrated.

People forget how good Bruno was apart from his chin and stamina. He had never finished a fight behind before, I think, and against Tyson he didn't win a round. Nothing extraordinary behind the fact that he made Mike look flat for a round or two. Nothing strange with that even for an ATG against a quality opponent. Probably better opponent than the Thomas that made Mike look flat for 3-4 rds.

Swap those fights around in terms of closeness to the Douglas fight and I think you also get a reversal in how many would appraise them.

 

He was good but he's overrated for beating an out of shape Tyson. Holyfield and Foreman beat that same version of Tyson.

 

Holyfield beat him 6 years later and I don't recall Foreman ever beating Tyson.

I have always believed Douglas' performance against Tyson was the most significant victory over Tyson - far more meaningful than Holyfield's or Lewis'.

The reason being? Tyson was closer to his prime than when he faced Holyfied. By the time he faced Lewis, Tyson had become a 3 round fighter.

 

If he just had his father's mentality to go along with that physical ability.
I'll alwas remember driving home with my uncle after Buster's fight with Holyfield. It was a sad nite in a sense.
My uncle said "its like people can't change".

 

Out of shape? He was 220lb. His conditioning was fine. I think mentally he wasn't totally there. Maybe just complacency or too much bs in his life in general. He perpetuated all of it.

 

I would say not that good. He had a great style for Mike and that is what happened. Had he been hit clean by Mike early he would have been knocked out in one or two rounds. He had a hell of a win. A lot like Barkley, but then Barkley had more skills to compete with other guys and win 3 titles in 3 weights, although two of those were against Hearns.

 

Superb analysis.

 

True, but as a great mature champion, you are to be ready for all or any challenges. A champion cannot just walk in and think that he can just blow the doors off of anybody, as a champion, you have a target on your back at all times in that ring. Better and well prepared man won that night, no excuses. Excuses are like what people sit on, everybody has one. Sure now and then a fighter may have an off night, but a great champion finds a way to win. Tyson realized he met someone that had nothing to lose, Douglas had suffered family tragedies recently, had small son to raise, he could care less of the aura of Tyson. Tyson fought Holyfield, twice, but never fought Foreman.

 

James Buster Douglas that knocked out Iron Mike Tyson, put on a stellar performance, a blue print on how to defeat Mike was exhibited. A lot of fighter who went up against Tyson were beat mentally before each of his fights, but Douglas entered the ring with no fear, he had suffered some family tragedies recently, had a small son to provide for. Tyson must have figured he defeated Tony TNT Tucker, who knocked out Douglas, and that he could perform that same feat on Buster Douglas. But statistics cannot win you fights, which he soon found out. Buster Douglas that night boxed from a distance, used lateral movement, landed counters after counters, dragging Tyson into a fast pace that he never had to encounter before. Sure Mike Knocked James down in round 8, but he arose to knock Mike out in round 10. A great champion should enter the ring ready and able for all his challengers, and like anyone if he has an off night, find a way to win. That blue print alone puts to rest many a question that has been asked over and over, Prime 1967 Muhammad Ali vs Prime Mike Tyson. On the night of Feb 11 1990 vs Douglas, he was still in his prime. Excuses are like what everyone sits on, everyone has one. Of course some fans adore power, but it has been said, You Live By The Sword, You Die By The Sword. Buster Douglas should be applauded for his performance that night.